La Dolce Vita No. 1

No trip to South Africa is complete without a visit to Kwazulu-Natal's North Coast.

The Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park - A Natural World Heritage Site.

St Lucia acts as a base to explore a surrounding countryside like no other in the country. The village of St. Lucia is completely surrounded by a Natural World Heritage Site - The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. The area boasts an abundance of game, over 500 bird species, 50 species of frog, five very distinct major ecosystems and much more. The Village has all the important tourist amenities while the natural beaches, bush and coastal forest remains virtually untouched. The area is a must for special interest groups like photographers, birders and nature lovers.

St Lucia offer a hosts of activities and adventures, but still holds all the magic that a seaside holiday destination should

Visiting this unique area will be an unforgettable experience!

Ever wanted to live the sweet life? In Italian, it's called La Dolce Vita. Come to St Lucia and find out what the "sweet life" is all about.

Leave the world behind- Watch an African sunrise- or a sunset, take a game drive, catch a fish, bask in the sun, swim in the warm Indian Ocean and spent time with good friends or family around a fire and enjoy a truly South African holiday!

What else could you call this but La Dolce Vita!

With no accommodation on the beach front (as there is about a 2km greenbelt that separates the town from the beach) La Dolce Vita No. 1 - is situated in Beach Road, on the way to the beach, in the quiet residential area of St. Lucia, within walking distance of all the shops, restaurants, the beach and the estuary mouth - we are bordering a green belt across the road from our cottage.

Welcome to La Dolce Vita No. 1! You will immediately feel at home in our newly renovated cottage. Latitude: 28° 22' 19.22'' S Longitude: 32° 25' 1.83'' E Tastefully decorated 3 bedroom cottage/self catering/fully equipped. This cottage sleeps 2 - 8 guests. FULL DStv, DVD Player, Radio/CD player. 2 new Air-Conditioners. + All the rooms have ceiling fans for the summer. The unit is serviced daily except Sundays and pubic holidays. Outside garden-shower. Our own fish cleaning facility. Within a secure complex with remote controlled access. The house is fitted with a burglar alarm linked to an armed response company. Double lock-up garage (high enough for Landrover with roof rack) - in the garage is a freezer for bait. Rack to put your fishing rods. Swimming pool in complex. Sub-tropical climate throughout the year; which is conducive to pleasant weather. No Smoking Inside please! - Smoking is only allowed on patios and outside. The Cottage is walking distance from the beach, lake, shops and restaurants. A bright, light, fresh and happy ambience awaits you at No. 1 La Dolce Vita. This cottage is decorated and furnished with the holidaymaker in mind. Walk into the private lapa area/with a build-in barbeque (braai), large table with 8 chairs. Dartboard in the braai area - please bring your own darts.

From the lapa you walk through the front door into an open-plan lounge/dining room area with a round dining room table that can seat 6 people. The spacious lounge have 2 couches and 2 chairs, FULL DSTV - no need to bring your own card , DVD Player, Radio/CD player. Large double French doors open out onto the green private garden. Garden furniture for outside/round table and 4 chairs. A fully equipped open-plan kitchen: with breakfast counter (2 high chairs). under counter stove with oven, hob and extractor fan. fridge /freezer. 210 L chest-deepfreeze. microwave. toaster, kettle and cutlery and crockery to serve 10 people. A big walk in groceries cupboard for your supplies. The kitchen has an outside door that leads directly to the braai area. There is place to store your cool boxes. 3 Bedrooms: Spacious main bedroom with sunny bay-window overlooking the private garden. En-suite bathroom with toilet, basin, bath and spacious shower. Second bedroom - 2 single beds. Third bedroom - spacious room sleep 4 guests in 1 double bed, and a stack bed.(see photo). Bed-linen is supplied - bring your own bath and beach-towels (can supply bath towels for overseas visitors). All the beds have duvets. Small lock-up safe in main bedroom. Second bathroom in the passage with toilet, basin, bath and shower. Something about the village:
St Lucia village is a village that is surrounded by an estuary, (St. Lucia Village is isolated from the mainland by an Estuary Channel - one can thus almost describe it as an island) the Indian Ocean and a Game Park (the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park - declared a natural world heritage site in December 1999)

It is situated where the estuary meets the sea (a fisherman's paradise) and crocodiles, hippos, red duiker, bushbuck, impala, zebra, wildebeest, fish eagles and goliath herons are regularly seen without entering the park.

In season whales and dolphins can be seen from our beaches as well as flamingos and pelican in the estuary - over a year period 542 different species of birds where counted.

The village are behind the protected sand dunes and are restricted to 2 storey buildings (no breathtaking views). It is small (5 blocks by 4 blocks) and 2 km away from the beach.

In St. Lucia you can find everything you need within walking distance. There are two well stocked supermarkets, a dozen restaurants, butchery, bakery, Laundromat, liquor stores, two fuel stations, Post Office, Internet Cafes, two banks, three ATM's, several fishing tackle shops, a hairdresser, variety of curio shops and not to be missed the locally produced fruit & craft market!

There is something that will meet everyone's need.

The subtropical climate and Coastal Forests add to the impression, but what would it be, of course, without beautiful beaches, warm ocean waters, exotic animals and tranquillity. Add to this the African bush and spectacular sunsets.

A to Z of Things to do:Arts & Crafts: Zulu's are great crafter's and famous for colourful beadwork, clay pots, baskets and mats. Within the St Lucia area there are a market and curio shops that sell a great variety of curios, including baskets, mats, carvings, walking sticks, beadwork, clay pots and locally produced fruit and vegetables. Bank facilities: ABSA. First National Bank. Standard Bank. ATM Banks. Beaches: St Lucia (1km) and Cape Vidal (29km). Big 5 Safari - Umfolozi Hluhluwe Game Reserve an hour's drive away where many animals can be seen including the "Big Five" (57km). Bird-watching - a Bird watcher's paradise with over 500 species amongst the coastal dune forest and wetlands. Apart from being famous for water-birds, St Lucia boasts more than 400 species of avian delights. Narina Trogons, Knysna Loeries, longclaws and LBJ'S get twitchers twitching! Bird-safaris in the northern Lakeland of St Lucia and guided excursions along the trails will reveal many unusual species. Walking Trails. Boat Cruises - (Santa Lucia, Advantage Fannas, Born Free) 2 Hour Trip on Estuary - Crocodiles, Hippos, Mangroves - To Much to Mention. Cape Vidal - drive for 29 km (tarred road) through a Game Park and you will find the beautiful coastal resort, Cape Vidal which holds the unique distinction of allowing visitors access to both the wildlife of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park as well as the marine life of the Indian Ocean coast. (Beautiful beach and picnic spots.) Within this park area we have four of the "Big 5" of which the lion is absent. The sheltered bay has a designated launch site for ski boats with excellent off-shore angling, spear fishing, surfing, swimming and snorkelling. A gorgeous stretch of beach where one can swim, snorkel, fish and sail. There are trails of varied distances through the nearby reserve. Croc Centre, Cycad Garden and Snake Park- (5min). Deep-Sea Fishing Trips - Game, Bill and Bottom Fishing - Whole Day - arrange to go deep sea fishing, all Bait & Tackle Supplied. Golf: Monzi Golf Course- 9 holes / 16km from St Lucia. Internet café and Photo shop. Mkuze Game Reserve - great destination for birders. The Mkuze Game Reserve section of the park has the highest density of black rhinos anywhere in the world. Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, 260km away - a small series of lakes bordered with lush, forested dunes which separate the ocean from the lake system. Hluhluwe - Umfolozi Game Reserve: Where the battle to save the white rhino was won! Experience the thrill of seeing Lions, Elephants, Rhinos, Leopards, Buffaloes and other games unique to Africa. Ski Boat Club - A popular establishment located nearby the estuary mouth/ pool tables are available. You can also view the crocodiles and hippos from this club while having sundowners. Tennis Court - Monzi / Less then 16km from St Lucia. Shakaland - You are one and a half hours from Shakaland, the all encompassing Zulu cultural experience. You will be transported back to the time of Shaka Zulu, one of history's most feared warriors. Tours and Cruises:Whale watching: during June - November - Come Watch the Humpback Whale Breach the Water / 2 hours out at sea, if you don't see a whale . Your money will be refunded. Hippo and Croc sunset cruise - 2 hours aboard a passenger ferry to explore the St Lucia Estuary for hippos, crocs, fish eagle, heron, kingfishers, mangroves, ect. Deep Sea Game Fishing - 6 to 7 hours, Bait and tackle supplied, just bring your own lunch pack. Midnight Turtle tours (November to March) Leatherback (900kg) and Logger back turtles nesting in the titanium-rich sands. Turtle tours Nov -Feb to view the Giant Leatherback 900 kg and Logger back turtles returning to lay their eggs on the beaches where they were born. Guided Hiking Trails. Kayaking and canoeing. Horse rides into Eastern Shores. Cultural tour - experience everyday Zulu culture. Heritage Tours & Safari's: Big 5 Safari - Hluhluwe /Umfolozi Game Park/ full day- incl breakfast, lunch (bushbraai). Night Drives - Greater St Lucia Wetland Park. Bush & Beach - Game viewing & snorkelling safari 8 am-4pm / Cape Vidal. Our favourite restaurants and pub's:Ocean Basket - Fish & Chips and delicious SEAFOOD platters!! St Pizza - Seafood Grill & Pub, very nice steaks, pastas and pizzas! Pubs: Key West and Monkey Lounge. Clothing & Accessories Bring comfortable outdoor clothing. Wear shorts all year round!!! June / July you might need long pants on a night. Mild winters, hot humid summers. Health & Climate
With 300 sun-filled days a year, the climate of St. Lucia is subtropical. The summers are hot, especially January and February whilst the winters are mild. Almost 60% of the annual rain falls during the summer months. During previous seasons (since 2000) no cases of malaria were recorded in St Lucia. If visiting Hluhluwe or Kruger National Park, prophylactic treatment is advisable. In general, insect repellents and appropriate clothing should provide adequate protection in St. Lucia. / Please consult your General Practitioner.

Like its neighbours, South Africa's seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere: Spring is September - October, summer is November - March, fall is April - May, and winter is June - August. South Africa enjoys a pleasant subtropical climate with lovely warm sunny days and cool nights most of the year, enjoying an average 8.5 daily hours of sunshine.

Make our La Dolce Vita your home away from home. This is the perfect accommodation option for families or a group of friends visiting the area and visitors who want to stay for long durations.

At the end of your day, come home to the luxury of LA DOLCE VITA 1.

Whatever your needs, however long your stay, you will leave this place refreshed and revitalized.

Map View

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Directions

We meet and greet on arrival!

From Durban: take N2 North toll road via Stanger, Empangeni. 40km after Richards Bay turn off, turn right to Mtubatuba. As you arrive in Mtubatuba, turn left to St Lucia (25km) as you enter St Lucia - drive over the bridge turn left at stop street and first street right into Beach road. Turn right into Pelican Street and left into Garric Avenue. First Street left into Visarend. Drive until you get 2 security gates/ La Dolce Vita is the one on your right. We will meet u at the gate.

From DurbanTake the N2 north. 40km after the turn-off to Richards Bay turn right to Mtubatuba. When you arrive to Mtubatuba turn left. Take the second road to the right. Follow the road for 25km

From JohannesburgTake the N12 road towards Witbank, turn of at Ogies and take the R545 to Bethal. From here take the N17 to Ermelo and continue by the N2 through Piet Retief (that road is bad at the moment rather go to Piet Retief via Amsterdam), Pongola, Mkuze and Hluhluwe. 48km after the Hluhluwe turn-off turn left to Mtubatuba. Just as you arrive in Mtubatuba turn left to St. Lucia and follow the road for 25km.